Fire-alarm system.



No. 744,849. PATEN-TED NOV. 24, 1903.

- A. J. WOODWORTH.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, 1902. N0 MODEL.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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PATENTED NOV! 24,1903. A. J. WOODWORTH. FIRE ALk'RM'SYSTE-M. APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

NO MODEL.

. Unitas TATES Patented November 24, 1903.

ATENT twice.

ALBERT J. WOODWORTH, OF SPARROWS POINT, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO CHARLES G. CHEVALIER, OF SPARROW'S POINT,

MARYLAND.

FIRE-ALARM SYSTEM.

SPECIEEGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,849, dated November 24?, 1903. Application filed July 3, 1902. Serial No. 114.319. llo model.)

To on whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT J. WOOD- WORTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sparrows Point, in the county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Alarm Systems; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to signals, and more particularly to that class known as firealarm systems.

The objects of the invention are, first, to produce a system of the character noted which will operate suitable detonators to indicate the source from which the alarm is sent, it being the object of this invention to arouse inhabitants of small places Where volunteer fire companies exist or for the purpose of assembling unorganized fire-fighting brigades. Second, to produce an alarm system whereby the signal is sounded from central locations from whence the same may be heard by the greatest number of inhabitants of a community. This invention is also designed for use in manufacturing plants and other places where aninexpensive and efficient system is desired. Third, to produce a system in which a circuit-breaker of the time-limit type is employed in a normally open circuit, the circuit of which is automatically closed and opened according to the number of notches on a break-wheel of an alarm-box. Fourth, to produce a time-limit circuit-breaker comprising a solenoid with means for retarding the movement of the solenoid-core in order that the said core may not be drawn into its farthest limit with the closing of its circuit, this arrangement being provided in order that the current through the detonator actuating solenoid may be establishedfor a greater period of time than it would require for the circuit-breaker to act in case the core of the circuit-breaker were free to move when its magnet is energized. Furthermore, to provide a circuit for the circuit-breaker solenoid independent of the circuit of the detonatoractuating solenoid in order that the current through the detonator actuating solenoid may be permanently cut out in case the outer circuit through the alarm-box becomes impaired and said circuit becomes an open instead of a normally closed circuit.

Finally,the object of the invention is. to produce a system of the character noted which will prove simple in construction, satisfactory in use, and comparatively inexpensive to install and maintain.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in View the invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, and wherein like characters denote corresponding parts in both views, and in which- Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view with the parts in the position they occupy when the circuits are normal. Fig. 2 is a similar view when the parts are in the position occupied when the outer circuit is impaired or broken.

In the drawings, 1 and 2 denote the boxes from which alarms may be sent, and they need not be described in detail, as I prefer to employ the ordinary messenger-call boxes, though any other suitable break-wheel box may be used. The boxes 1 and 2 are in the lines 25 and 27, the former of which is connected to the coil 4 of the relay X and the latter to the battery 7. The line 26 connects the battery 7 and the coil 4, thus establish ing a circuit from the battery through the coil and back to the battery 7, said circuit being normally closed. The armature 6 so long as the circuit is closed is held toward the core of the magnet of the coil 4 away from the contact-point 5. A line 38 is connected to the armature 6 and to the coilof the mag net 10 of the relay Y, (which is designed for currents many times greaterjthan that of the relay X,) and line 37 connects the coil of the magnet 10 and the battery 12. Lines 29 and 28 connect the battery 12 with the blow-out coil 3. The contact-point 5 is electrically connected to the blow-out coil 3, and when the normally closed circuit (to be hereinafter termed the outer circuit) is broken a ciredit is established through the line 38 to the magnet 10, from the magnet through the line 37 to the battery 12, and by the lines 29 and 28 through the blow-out coil 3 to the contactpoint 5, it being understood that the spring A has exerted sufficient force to throw the armature against the contact-point 5. The circuit just described (to be hereinafter termed the primary inner circuit) is made each time the outer circuit is broken, and the current will be broken in operation, according to the number of breaks represented by the break-wheel of the alarm -box. Since the magnet 10 is energized by the completion of the circuit through the battery 12, the armature 40 on the arm 41 will be drawn down against the action of the spring B, connected.

to the end of the arm. The arm is provided with the point 9, which engages the contact 9 when the arm is depressed, and the contact 9 has a line 34, by which it is connected to the blow-out coil 8 and through the 1ine'29 to the battery 12. A line 33 connects the point 9 of the arm with the coil 13 of the detonator-actuating solenoids C. A line 35 leads from the coil 13 to the contact 23, and a spring 24 rests normally on the said contact. Lines 30 and 31 connect the spring and the battery 12. The circuit just described (to be hereinafter termed the secondary inner circuit) is made each time the outer circuit is broken, and the current will be broken in operation, according to the number of breaks represented by the break-wheel of the alarm-box. Line 32 connects the line 36 and the coil 21 and causesthe said coil 21 to be energized when the point and contact 9 and 9 arein engagement through the agency of a circuit passing through line 30, battery 12, line 29, blow-out coil 8, line 34, contact and contact-point 9 and 9, line 33, line 36, and the aforesaid line 32, said circuit (to be hereinafter termed the shunt-circuit) being made each time the outer circuit is broken. When the circuit is established through the lines 33 and 34, the coil 21 of the solenoid D is energized and remains energized so long as the point and contact 9 and 9 are in engagea ment; but the circuit through the coils 13 does not continue under like circumstances, for the reason that the spring 24 is lifted, and the circuit is broken at the point 23. The solenoid-core 22 carries a trip-arm 47, which lifts the spring 24 and breaks the circuit. A ball escapement-valve 39 is provided on the coil 21, which is set to permit the gradual dis charge of the air compressed by the core 22 in its movement. The valve is preferably of the rapid-release type in order that air may be admitted readily on the descent of the core to relieve the vacuum which would otherwise form. In the ordinary operation of the systern the circuit is not broken at the contact 23, for the reason that the circuit through the magnet 10 is interrupted before the solenoidcore 22 has been elevated a sufiicient distance to bring the arm 47 into engagement with the spring 24.

The cores 20 of the solenoids G are connected by a base-plate c, and a rod 43 is connected to the base-plate c, said rod being formed in sections connected by an insulated turnbuckle 42. The reciprocation of the rod 43 is utilized to operate the valve 14 of a steamwhistle 15 through the medium of the bellcrank 17, which is pivoted to the rod, and the levers 18 and 19. In case a bell is substituted for a whistle to sound the alarm a lever 44 is pivoted to the lower end of the rod 43 and to a link 45, which extends upwardly and is connected to a rock-arm 45 and the rock-arm 45 oscillates the clapper 46 of the bell E. It will be noted that the Weight of the solenoidcores 20, falling back on the levers upon the denergization of the coils 13, will automatically close the valve 14 or stop further action of the bell-striker. This utilization of the weight of the cores for the purpose mentioned obviates the necessity of employing springs or other mechanism for returning the detonator-actuating parts to their normal position.

In operation either of the alarm-boxes when set in motion will automatically open and close the outside circuit a given number of times, determined by the number of and location of the notches on the break-wheel. The outside circuit, which is a normally closed circuit, has been followed in connection with the detailed description heretofore given, and it has been ascertained that with each break of the outside circuit the primary ICO inner circuit is established through the coil 10, which will result in the attraction of the armature 40 and the establishing of the secondary inner circuit through the battery 12 and through the solenoids O and the sounding of an alarm through the medium of a whistle or a bell. As has been heretofore indicated,the solenoid D performs its function of cutting out the circuitto the solenoids C only in event of the circuit through the said solenoids 0 being established beyond a predetermined time, which will be controlled by the amount of escapement permitted by the valve of the solenoid D. It will also be observed that arcing on either the outer or inner circuits will be dissipated by the blowout coils, which have been included in the description of the circuits. Therefore in a circuit formed by the batteries 7, line 27, alarm-boxes 1 and 2, line 25, coil 4, and line 26 itvis evident that the operation of the mechanism in the alarm-boxes, as previously referred t0,Will automaticallyenergize and deenergize coil 4, thereby causing the armature 6 to alternately be connected with and dis-v connected from contact-point 5. 'When the armature 6 comes in connect with point 5, the primary inner circuit is formed'from the battery 12, through the line 29, line 28, the magnetic blow-out coil 3, through the contact-point 5, across the armature 6, through IIO the 1ine38, the coil 10, the line 37, back to the battery 12, thus completing the circuit, which will, as is readily understood, alternately energize and deenergize coil 10, thus causing same to alternately attract and release the armature 40, which is attached to the lever 41. This movement of the armature 40 will alternately open and close the secondary inner circuit, which is formed as follows: from the battery 12, through the line 29, magnetic blow-out coil 8, through the line 34:, contact-point 9 and 9 through the lines 33 and 36' to the solenoid coils 13, through the line 35, across contact-points 23 and 24:, through the line 31, completing the circuit through line 30 to the batteries 12. The opening and closing of this circuit will, as can .be readily seen, alternately attract and'release the core 20, which through the connecting-levers 16, 17, 18, and 19 will alternately open and close the balanced governor-valve 14, thereby allowing steam to penetrate pipe leading to the whistle 15, thus sounding the alarm desired.

The power in the cores 20 may be utilized in ringing a bell, as shown by the levers 43, ts, 45, and 46, thus making the system applicable where steam is not to be had.

As regards the power furnished by the bat teries 12 any direct current would be suitable, same being derived from either primary or secondary batteries or from a direct-current generator.

The small and large relay, together with the time-limit circuit-breaker, can be placed in a suitable box thoroughly sealed or air-tight, thus making the whole apparatus self-contained.

It will be readily understood that many changes and variations may be made by those skilled in the art in the system specifically illustrated and described without departing from the scope of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an alarm system,a normally closed outer circuit including a relay, alarm-boxes in said outer circuit, normally open primary and secondary inner circuits, means for closing the inner circuits when the outer circuit is opened, a detonator-actuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit and a time-limit circuit-breaker energized by a shunt-circuit from the secondary inner circuit.

2. In an alarm system, a normally closed outer circuit including a relay, alarm-boxes in said outer circuit, normally open primary and secondaryinner circuits, means for closing the inner circuits when the outer circuit is opened, a solenoid having a movable core in the secondary inner circuit, means operated by the movement of said core in one direction for instituting the sounding of the detonator and means operated by the movement of the core in the opposite direction for stopping the sounding of the detonator upon the energization and the denergization respectively of said detouator-actuating solenoid.

3. In an alarm system, a normally closed outer circuit including a relay, alarm-boxes in said outer circuit, normally open primary and secondaryinner circuits, means for closing the inner circuits when the outer circuit is opened, a detonator-actuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit and means for antomatically breaking the circuit through said detonator-actuatiug solenoid when the inner circuits are closed abnormally,

4:. In an alarm system, a normally closed outer circuit including a relay, alarm-boxes in said outer circuit, normally open primary and secondary inner circuits, means for closing the inner circuits when the outer circuit is opened,a detonator-aotuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit, a time-limit circuit-breaker energized by a shunt-circuit, means for adjusting said circuit-breaker in such relation to the break notches of the alarmbox as to preclude its operation to break the circuit during the normal operation of the break-wheel.

5. In an alarm system, a normally closed outer circuit including a relay, alarm-boxes in said outer circuit, normally open primary and secondary inner circuits, means for closing the inner circuits when the outer circuit is opened, a detonator-actuating solenoid energized when the inner circuits are closed, a time-limit circuit-breaker, means for energizing the circuit-breaker when the inner circuits are closed, said circuit-breaker being so adjusted as to break the circuit through said detonator-actuating solenoid when the inner circuits are closed abnormally.

6. In an alarm system, a normally closed outer circuit including a relay, alarm-boxes in said outer circuit, normally open primary and secondary inner circuits, means for closing the inner circuits when the outer circuit is opened, a detonator-actuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit, a shunt-circuit from the secondary inner circuit, a time-limit circuit breaker in said shunt circuit and means for energizing the time-limit circuitbreaker independent of the detonator-actuating solenoid.

7. In an alarm system an outer circuit including a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, primary and secondary inner circuits, means for alternately closing and opening said outer and inner circuits, a detonator-actuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit, and a time-limit circuit-breaker energized by a shunt-circuit from the secondary inner circuit.

8. In an alarm system, an outer circuit including a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, primary and secondary inner circuits, means for alternately closing and. opening said outer and inner circuits, a solenoid having a movable core in the secondary inner circuit, means operated by the movement of said core in one direction for instituting the controlling a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer sounding of the detonator, and means operated by the movement of the core in the opposite direction for stopping the sounding of the detonator upon the energization and the denergization respectively, of said solenoid.

9. In an alarm system, an outer circuit including a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, primary and secondary inner circuits, means for alternately closing and opening said outer and inner circuits, a detonator-actuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit, a time-limit circuit-breaker energized by a shunt-circuit, and means for adjusting said circuit-breaker in such relation to the breaknotches of the alarm-box as to preclude its operation to break the circuit through the detonator-actuating solenoid during the normal operation of the break-wheel.

10. In an alarm system, an outer circuit ineluding a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, primary and secondary inner circuits, means for alternately closing and opening said outer and inner circuits, a detonator-actuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit, a shunt-circuit from the secondary inner circuit, a time-limit circuit-breaker in said shunt-circuit and means for energizing the time-limit circuit-breaker independent of the detonator-actuating solenoid.

11. In an alarm system, an outer circuit circuit, a primary inner circuit closed by the action of said relay and controlling a second relay, a secondary inner circuit closed by the action of the second-named relay, a detonator-actuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit and a time-limit circuit-breaker energized by a shunt-circuit from the secondary inner circuit.

12. In an alarm system, an outer circuit controlling a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a primary inner circuit closed by the "action of said relay and controlling a second relay, a secondary inner circuit closed by the action of the second-named relay, a solenoid having a movable core in the secondary inner circuit, means operated by the movement of said core in one direction for instituting the sounding of the detonator, and means operated by the movement of the core in the opposite direction for stopping the sounding of the detonator upon the energization and the denergization respectively of said solenoid.

13. In an alarm system, an outer circuit controlling a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a primary inner circuit closed by the action of said relay and controlling a second relay, a secondary inner circuit closed by the action of the second-named relay,a detonatoractuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit and means for automatically breaking the circuit through said detonator-actuating solenoid when the inner circuits are closed abnormally.

14:. In an alarm system, an outer circuit controlling a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a primary inner circuitclosed by the action of said relay and controlling a second relay, a secondary inner circuit closed by the action of the second-named relay, a detonator-actuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit, a time-limit circuit-breaker energized by a shunt-circuit, means for adjusting said circuit-breaker in such relation to the break notches of the alarm-box as to preclude its op eration to break the circuit during the normal operation of the break-Wheel.

15. In an alarm system, an outer circuit controlling a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a primary inner circuit closed by the action of said relay and controlling a second relay, a secondary inner circuit closed by the action of the second-named relay, a detonator-actuating solenoid energized when the inner circuits are closed, a time-limit circuitbreaker, means for energizing the circuitbreaker when the inner circuits are closed, said circuit-breaker being so adjusted as to break the circuit through said detonator-actuating solenoid when the inner circuits are closed abnormally.

16. In an alarm system, an outer circuit controlling a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a primary inner circuit closed by the action of said relay and controlling a second relay, a secondary inner circuit closed by the action of the second-named relay, a detonator-actuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit, a shunt-circuit from the secondary inner circuit, a time-limit circuit-breaker in said shunt-circuit and means for energizing the time-limit circuit-breaker independent of the detonator-actuating solenoid.

17. In an alarm system, a normally closed outer circuit controlling a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a normally open primary inner circuit closed by the action of said relay and controlling a second relay, a normally open secondary inner circuit closed by the action of the second-named relay, a detonatoractuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit, and a time-limit circuit-breaker energized by a shunt-circuit from the secondary inner circuit.

18. In an alarm system, a normally closed outer circuit controlling a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a normally open primary inner circuit closed by the action of said relay and controlling a second relay, a normally open secondary inner circuit closed by the action of the second-named relay, a solenoid having a movable core in the secondary inner circuit, means operated by the movement of said core in one direction for instituting open secondary inner circuit closed by the action of the second-named relay, a detonator-actuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit and means for automatically breaking the circuit through said detonator-actuating solenoid when the inner circuits are closed abnormally.

20. In an alarm system, a normally closed outer circuit controlling a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a normally open primary inner circuit closed by the action of said relay and controlling a second relay, a normally open secondary inner circuit closed by the action of the second-named relay, a detonator-actuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit, a time-limit circuit-breaker energized by a shunt-circuit, and means for adjusting, said circuit-breaker in such relation to the break-notches of the alarm-box as to preclude its operation to break the circuitthrough the detonator-actuating solenoid during the normal operation of the break-wheel.

21. In an alarm system, a normally closed outer circuit controlling a relay, alarnrboxes in the outer circuit, a normally open primary inner circuit closed by the action of said relay and controlling a second relay, a normally open secondary inner circuit closed by the action of the second-named relay, a detonator-actuating solenoid energized when the inner circuits are closed, a time-limit circuitbreaker and means for energizing same when the inner circuits are closed, said circuitbreaker being so adjusted as to break the circuit through said detonator-actuating solenoid when the inner circuits are closed abnormally.

22.. In an alarm system, a normally closed outer circuit controlling a relay, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a normally open primary inner circuit closed by the action of said relay and controlling a second relay, a normally open secondary inner circuit closed by the action of the second-named relay, a detonatoractuating solenoid in the secondary inner circuit, a shunt-circuit from the secondary innercircuit,a time-limit circuit-breakerin said shunt-circuit and means for energizing the time-limit circuit-breaker independent of the detonator-actuating solenoid.

23. In an alarm system, an outer circuit, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a plurality of inner circuits, said inner circuits being simultaneously in an open or closed state,means for alternately closing or opening the outer and inner circuitsa detonator-actuating s0- lenoid and a time-limit circuit-breaker in one of the inner circuits.

24. In an alarm system, an outer circuit, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a plurality of inner circuits, said inner circuits being simultaneously in an open or closed state, means for alternately closing or opening the outer and inner circuits, a solenoid having a movable core in one of the inner circuits, means operated by the movement of said core in one direction for instituting the sounding of the detonator and means operated by the movement of the core in the opposite direction for stopping the sounding of the detonator upon the energization and deenergization respectively of said solenoid.

25. In an alarm system, an outer circuit, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a plurality of inner circuits, said inner circuits being simultaneously in an open or closed state,means for alternately closing or opening the outer and inner circuits, a detonator-actuating solenoid in one of the inner circuits, and means for-automatically breaking the circuitthrough said detonator-actuatingsolenoid when the inner circuits are closed abnormally.

26. In an alarm system, an outer circuit, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a plurality of inner circuits, said inner circuits being simultaneouslyin an open or closed state,means for alternately closing or opening the outer and inner circuits, a detonator-actuating solenoid in one of the inner circuits, a time-limit circuit-breaker energized by a shunt-circuit, means for adjusting said circuit breaker in such relation to the break-notches of the alarm-box as to preclude its operation to break the circuit during the normal operation of the break-wheel.

27. In an alarm system, an outer circuit, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a plurality of inner circuits, said inner circuits being simultaneously in an open or closed state,rneans for alternately closing or opening the outer and inner circuits, a detonator-actuating solenoid energized when the inner circuits are closed, a time-limit circuit-breaker, means for energizing the circuit-breaker when the inner circuits are closed, said circuit-breaker being so adjusted as to break the circuit through said detonatoractuating solenoid when the inner circuits are closed abnormally.

28. In an alarm system, an outer circuit, alarm-boxes in the outer circuit, a plurality of inner circuits, said inner circuits being simultaneously in an open orclosed state,.means for alternately closing or opening the outer and inner circuits, a detonator-actuating solenoid and a time-limit circuit-breaker energized by the closing of said inner circuits and means for energizing the time-limit circuitbreaker independent of the detonator-actuating solenoid.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses, this 30th day of June, 1902.

ALBERT J. WOODVVORTH.

Witnesses:

O. G. GHEVALIER, WM. V. I-IUMMEL.

IIO 

